It seems like just yesterday that we were celebrating Christmas and bringing in the New Year. Now January is gone, and February is here! I'm sure that flowers and hearts come to mind with memories of Valentine's Day. What a thrill of joy it is to give as well as receive these gestures of love from family and friends! It is so important to show our loved ones how much we care about them and value their friendship.
Saint Valentine, who we honor on February 14th, is our example of showing kindness and charity to those who need it the most. During the third century in Rome, young men were forbidden to marry. Motivated by this Injustice, St Valentine performed marriages in secret for these young lovers whenever he could. Unfortunately, he was discovered and put to death in 269AD by Claudius II. Legend has it that St. Valentine, Bishop of Terni should also be considered as one who defied Claudius II as well. He was also beheaded on 269AD outside Rome by Claudius II. Thankfully, we can display our expressions of love and affection freely just as Jesus showed us by the loving and compassionate way he treated others. In fact, the origin of sending cards goes back to a young Christian man named Valentine who was imprisoned and sentenced to death. He was caught helping fellow Christians escape from Roman prisons. Before he died, he sent a letter to his beloved signed, "From your Valentine". Due to his reputation of being sympathetic, heroic, and romantic, he was one of the most popular saints in France and England.
According to the Church, the month of February is dedicated to the Holy Family. God elevated the family to a higher level by sending Jesus to earth as a baby born into a family with a mother and father. How blessed we are to have the Holy Family as our most perfect family to emulate. In reverence, we are encouraged to perform a consecration to the Holy Family. And in so doing, we open our hearts and minds to their guidance, love, and protection. The graces and blessings that follow will surely bring enough peace and joy to overcome whatever difficulties we may be experiencing. Never forget! God is always with us.
Finally, I wanted to share with you something that I recently learned about Spiritual Communions. In keeping with the February theme of bringing hearts together, in Spiritual Communions we are joining our hearts with Jesus in the most perfect union. The practice of Spiritual Communions was to cultivate a constant desire for the Sacrament of the Eucharist. Many of our most beloved saints regularly did so and encouraged others to follow this practice that has been part of our Church for centuries. It can be said many times a day.
Just say, "Jesus, come. I can't receive you sacramentally but come into my heart spiritually." The more we receive Jesus sacramentally, the closer our hearts are joined together with His. Let us be people that are desperately in love with the Most Blessed Sacrament so that our hearts may be a living Tabernacle for Him to abide.
As Mother Angelica has said, "Lord God, if I truly appreciated the majestic humility of the Eucharist, if I fully grasped the opportunity to participate in your very nature, it would change my life forever".
Let us open ourselves to all the love and blessings that God wants to shower upon us. May our will be His will so that we, too, may be that light that shines in the darkest crevices of this world to bring God's message of love and salvation to all.